Former major-leaguer and Jones County resident Ryan Klesko spoke to the Rotary Club about his baseball career and how he got to be known locally as the California redneck.

Klesko played for three major league teams, starting with the Atlanta Braves from 1992-1999, when he was traded to the San Diego Padres. He spent one more year playing for the San Francisco Giants until he decided in 2007 that he wanted to spend more time with his young family.

Not your typical Californian, Klesko is originally from Bakersfield, which is not far from Los Angeles but is mainly farm country. Growing up there prepared him for living in Jones County.

“I bought the property here with John Smoltz about 15 years ago,” he said. “We mostly bought it for duck hunting, but I spend a lot of time here. We host forestry programs and have teachers bring classes out to the property.

“I like for others to enjoy it. We even won timber farm of the year in Georgia in 2007.”

Klesko attributes his baseball skill to his mother, who worked two jobs to help put him through pitching school.